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PTTBLISHEES' NOTICE. 



Before issuing this edition of onr Croquet 
Manual, the second edition has, been thoroughly 
revised, and such alterations made as the prac- 
tices of the game during the past year have de- 
manded. 

This book was originally prepared by a practi- 
cal and enthusiastic lover of Croquet, and revised 
and approved by some of the most scientific 
players in the country, and the very limited num- 
ber of alterations that have been deemed neces- 
sary is the best possible commendation of the 
judgment and experience of the authors. 

When the second edition was issued, several of 
the points then advocated were decidedly unpop- 
ular. For instance, the English Croquet Parlia- 
ment had just decided that the Roquet-Croquet, 
or Loose Croquet, should be confined exclusively 
to the rover. We were decidedly opposed to 
this restriction, as one calculated to detract very 
materially from the interest of the game, and, as 
we anticipated the large majority of American 
Croquet players have adopted and sustained the 
views advocated by us. Further, almost every 



PUBLISHERS NOTICE. 



authority attached some severe penalty to a 
" flinch," which to us seemed unreasonable ; and 
the practice of allowing the Loose Croquet to be 
executed by placing the foot lightly on the play- 
ing ball, which is now gaining in popularity, 
proves the justice of our rule on the subject, as 
by that practice a flinch becomes a legitimate 
stroke. Also on several other disputed or doubt- 
ful points we took somewhat original and decided 
ground, and in no single instance have we found 
it necessary to change our position in this edition. 
Under the title of " Croquet Problems," we 
have added a number of problems, etc., illustra- 
ted by numerous diagrams, which will prove of 
great advantage to learners that are obliged to 
depend solely upon the book for instruction. 
There will necessarily be a great diversity of 
rules for Croquet, until there is some recognized 
authority, on the subject, and we here take occa- 
sion to urge the speedy calling of a National As- 
sociation of Croquet players, who shall adopt a 
code of rules that may become standard author- 
ity. Any suggestions from experienced players 
will be thankfully received by the author, of this 
book, and will be promptly forwarded, if ad- 
dressed to the publishers. 

M. B. & CO. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAGE, 
CROQUET, 7 

MATERIALS OF THE GAME, 11 

THE GROUND, 16 

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE GAME, .... 20 

ARRANGEMENT OF THE BRIDGES, 26 

RULES OF THE GAME, .33 

SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS, 43 

PARLOR CROQUET, 48 

CROQUET PROBLEMS, . 5© 

VOCABULARY, 63 



CRO QUET 



Croquet has been for several years one of tlie 
most popular pastimes in England, and is now 
very justly receiving a large and rapidly increasing 
share of attention in this country. It is unmis- 
takably a game of science, in which the brain, as 
well as the muscles and nerves, has an essential 
part to perform, — thus very closely resembling 
billiards, to which game it is in some respects 
superior, in that it is a more social game, and 
gives an opportunity for healthful open air exercise. 

Unlike most of out-of-door sports, it does not 
require the possession of great strength or powers 
of endurance, or severe muscular exertion on the 
part of the player. Excellence in it is almost 
equally attainable to the weakly and delicate as 
to the healthy and robust. Old and young meet 
on its arena on more nearly equal terms than in 
any other known game of skill. A ' ' correct eye, ' ' 
steady hands and nerves, and good judgment, are 



CROQUET. 



the essential qualifications for a good player, and 
the possession of these advantages of course is 
not dependent upon the age, sex, or condition of 
the person. 

And it may perhaps be considered as the chief 
excellence of this game that it gives this oppor- 
tunity, which very few other games, combining 
scientific play and physical exercise, afford, for 
persons of the opposite sexes and disparity of age 
to join in one common amusement. It should be 
a matter of congratulation to all to see the rapidly 
increasing popularity of any healthful open air 
sport in this country. 

We are a too laborious people, giving too much 
of our time to wearying cares, and too little to 
that relaxation and recreation without which there 
can be no real physical, mental, or indeed moral 
health. Let us, then, remedy this; let us hail 
and give countenance to any and all harmless, 
health-giving games, taking care only that the 
other extreme is not approached, remembering 

that — 

" All work and no joy 
Makes Jack a dull boy." 

We predict for Croquet a success wider in this 
than it has reached in any other country. When 
we work or fight, we work and fight harder than 



GENERAL REMARKS. 9 

any other people, and we should be as enthusi- 
astic in our play. 

In preparing this Manual of Croquet we have 
endeavored to explain the general principles of 
the game, and to present a code of rules simple, 
concise, and shorn as far as possible of techni- 
calities of expression, but comprehensive enough 
to include all points necessary to a thorough 
understanding of the game. 

No two authors that we have read, agree upon 
all, and nearly every one differs very widely from 
every other upon some points of the subject. 
There is no really original treatise upon the game 
extant, — its origin and originator are alike un- 
known. No one can refer to an undoubted 
established authority; and until some general 
code shall be established under the sanction of a 
convention of organized clubs, there can be no 
binding, authoritative laws, to which all players 
shall be amenable. We do not, therefore, con- 
sider it now necessary or desirable, or even proper, 
to dictate how in every particular the game must 
be played. Our opinion, or the opinion of 
"Newport " "Fellows," or any other writer upon 
the subject, is worth no more than that of any 
other person with equal reasoning powers and 
experience. We therefore endeavor to give a 



10 CROQUET. 



ttorougli, careful, and clear explanation of the 
established principles and essential rules, leaving 
the minor and unessential practices of the game 
to the option of the players, adding only such 
suggestions as to the materials and manner of 
playing as our experience and observation have 
led us to think will add to the amusement and 
interest of the game. In the vocabulary are 
given all the terms necessary to be used for con- 
venience in playing, with their definitions. Many 
other terms and names are used by other writers 
and players to designate the various operations, 
movements, and conditions of the game, but we 
do not consider them sufficiently useful or well 
established to merit a place in this Manual, and 
would much sooner reduce than enlarge the 
already extended vocabulary of the game. 



THE BALLS. 11 



MATEEIALS OP THE GAME. 



A COMPLETE set of Croqnet consist of eight 
lolls, eight mallets, ten iron bridges, and two 
posts. 

The balls should be about ten inches in circum- 
ference, perfectly spherical, and should weigh 
about eight ounces. They should be designated 
by different colors, either by painting the entire 
surface of the ball, or by a stripe of the color 
merely. But the first method is much to be pre- 
ferred, as a ball needs all the protection it can 
have to preserve it from the effects of the weather, 
and for this purpose nothing is better than good 
oil paint and varnish. There is a universal pre- 
disposition towards large balls by all novices in 
the game ; but experience will invariably give the 
preference to a ball not more than ten and one 
half inches in circumference, if of rock maple or 
birch, and if of box-wood, not more than ten 
inches. 



12 CROQUET. 



The mallet head should be about 2|- inches in 
diameter, and 4i inches long, shaped somewhat 
.^_^like a dice box ; and the handle 33 inches 
L. I long, i"! of an inch in diameter in the 
largest part, and f of an inch in the small- 
est. It is customary to paint some portion 
of the mallets to correspond to the colors 
on the balls. This is a very great advan- 
tage in distinguishing the different players 
and assisting the memory to connect them 
with their respective balls, and we much 
prefer it ; but some players prefer to leave 
the mallets undistinguished, and to allow 
each player to select his own.. — choosing 
such weight, size and length as he may desire 
— and perhaps there is no objection to this. 
A feeble or delicate person may not be 
able to play as well with a mallet of the 
standard size as his opponent, and thus 
^^^^^'^- ^jj[ ijg upon an unequal footing with him 
at the outset; while, if each selects such as is 
suitable to his or her condition, all will be satis- 
factorily equipped, and, of course, upon equal 
terms, as far as the implements are concerned. 
For balls and mallet heads good rock maple is the 
most desirable of all our native woods, and hickory 
is the best for' mallet handles. Box-wood is very 



MALLETS AND BRIDGES. 



13 



good for mallet heads, but is perhaps too heavy 
for balls. Boxwood mallet heads and good rock 
maple balls, well painted, make an elegant and 
superior set, and preferable to a complete box- 
wood set ; while rosewood and lignum- vitse balls 
are little better than iron, and entirely unfit to use. 
The bridges should be made of iron wire about 
-j^e" of an inch in diameter, in form like an ox-bow. 
The width of the bridge 
should be equal to the cir- 
cumference of the ball, and 
the hight such that when 
firmly set it will stand out of 
the ground a distance equal 
to its width. They should 
jjif be uniformed in color. White 
BfS is best, as it is more easily 
seen, and contrasts more 
pleasingly with the green 
of the turf. Some have adopted the practice of 
painting them of diflPerent colors, but the reason 
assigned seems not to be a good one, and expe- 
rience almost unanimously pronounces in favor of 
a uniform light color. 

One manufacturer has adopted and 4)atented 
the happy idea of galvanizing or plating the iron 
bridges with zinc, which gives them a permanent 




14 CROQUET. 



light color, and at tlie same time perfectly pre- 
serves them from rust. 

Some writers assert that withs or firkin hoops 
answer very well for bridges. They may answer 
as a very poor substitute, but a good croquet 
player would no sooner play with such materials 
than a billiard player with a slack rope for a 
cushion or an umbrella for a cue. In many of the 
scientific " shots " of the game, the player calcu- 
lates upon the rigidity of the bridges, and an iron 
bridge, when set in sandy soil, is at best none too 
rigid ; and with loose or springy bridges the game 
loses much of its attraction to a good player. 

The posts should be about 28 inches long, 1-|- 
inches in diameter in the largest part, and pointed 
so as to be driven into the ground. 
They should have rings painted on 
them corresponding to the colors 
of the balls, and of such width that 
the bottom ring will be as high from 
the ground as the top of the bridges. 
Thus supposing the post to be 28 
inches long, commencing at the top, 
make each ring 1^ inches wide. 
This will occupy 10 inches, and 
hence allow the posts to be driven 
into the ground 8 inches, and still 




MARKERS OR CLIPS. 15 

have the lowest color so high from the turf that 

it can be easily seen from any portion of the 

ground. The order of the colors on the post is 

not essential so long as the light and dark colors 

alternate ; but the two uppermost colors belong 

to the chiefs of the two sides, and therefore most 

properly should be black and white, as those are 

the best representatives of dark and light colors. 

The exact arrangement of the succeeding colors 

is immaterial but the following is very good, 

commencing at the top : — 

1st. Black. 6th. Brown. 

2d. White. 6th. Red. 

3d. Blue. 7th. Green. 

4th. Yellow. 8th. Pink. 

As the order of the colors on the posts governs 
that of the play, and since those on each side play 
alternately, it follows that in a game of eight the 
dark balls, black, blue, brown, and green, are 
matched against the light ones, white, yellow, red, 
and pink. 

Many devices have been suggested for marking 
the bridges when run, such as clips or markers, 
painting the bridges diiFerent colors, &c., &c., but 
they have all proved to be useless, as a player who 
is interested in the game will remember his own 
position more easily than he will remember to 
change the marker. 



16 CROQUET. 



THE GROUND 



In contemplating the preparation of a Croquet 
ground, the first question that occurs is, how much 
and what kind of ground is necessary. The size 
of the ground, as well as the distance between the 
bridges, is governed very much by the taste and 
accommodation of the owner. 

A model Croquet ground has been defined as 
an elliptical field one hundred feet long and sixty 
feet wide, with the bridges from nine to twelve 
feet apart ; but persons possessed of only a limit- 
ed plot of ground need not conclude that the 
above dimensions are absolutely necessary, for a 
very interesting game may be played on ground 
not more than sixty feet long and thirty feet wide, 
with the bridges from six to eight feet apart. 
The bounds may be imaginary lines defined by 
corner bounds, or they may be walks or other 
natural bounds suggested by the nature of the 
ground ; or if a plot is prepared expressly for the 



NUMBER OF PLAYERS. 21 

The cliief who has the first choice takes the 
ball corresponding in color with the top of the 
post, and the other chief the next ball according 
to the order of the colors on the posts, while the 
remaining balls are given to the other players in 
the order in which they are chosen. (See note 
Kule II.) 

Eight persons can play, but a game of four or 
six is the most interesting. If four or more play, 
each player uses but one ball ; but if only two 
play, the game is improved by each player taking 
two balls and playing them alternately as usual. 
If there be an odd number of players — either 
three, five or seven — the players play against 
each other individually, or one person takes two 
balls and plays each in its proper turn. 

Assuming that each player has a ball and a 
mallet, that the bridges are arranged in either of 
the three positions given in diagrams Nos. 1, 2 
and 3, we now come to the mode of playing the 
game. The object is to drive the balls through 
all the bridges, in the direction indicated by the 
dotted lines on the diagrams, and to strike the 
two posts. The side, all of whose members 
succeed in performing this feat first, wins the 
game. Now although this is the chief object of 
the game, yet the act from which it derives its 



22 CROQUET. 



title, to wit : " Croquet," is of much greater im- 
portance than would at first be imagined. If a 
player hit with his ball any of the others, he is 
allowed to place his own against the ball he has 
struck, and setting his foot upon his own ball, he 
hits it with the mallet, and the force of the blow 
drives oiF the other ball while the playing ball 
remains stationary. As a player is allowed to 
croquet either friend or foe, it is evident that he 
can do a great deal of damage or service, accord- 
ing to his inclination, since he is at liberty to drive 
the ball in any direction he pleases. 

The Roquet-Croquet is an operation still more 
interesting than the Croquet as it is susceptible of 
much greater skill in its execution. This is ac- 
complished the same as the Croquet, except that 
instead of holding one ball firmly by placing the 
foot upon it, both balls are left free to be driven 
together by the blow of the mallet. By practice 
and a skillful placing of the balls a stroke may 
be made that will cause the balls to diverge in 
any forward directions the player may desire. 

In commencing a game, the first chief places his 
ball one-third the distance from the starting post 
to the first bridge, and endeavors by striking it 
with the end of his mallet's head, to drive it 
through the first bridge. If he succeeds, he con- 



ROQUET-CROQUET. 23 

tinues his turn and attempts to send the ball 
through the second bridge, and then through the 
third, for driving the ball through a bridge, or 
hitting another ball, generally imparts the privi- 
lege of an additional stroke. 

When one ball driven by a blow of the mallet 
hits another, it is said to make roquet on that 
ball. 

When the first player who should be black, has 
missed, white goes on, and the other players follow 
in the order of the colors on the posts, and very 
soon comes the opportunity to use the great 
advantages of the Croquet and Roquet- Croquet. 
Often when a player has his ball in a good 
position in front of a bridge, another will hit it, 
and then by Croquet or Roquet-Croquet drive 
it to the other end of the ground, compelling it 
perhaps to take two or three turns before it can 
regain its former position. Occasionally two or 
three balls lie close together, and one is struck by 
a ball which was some distance oif. The player 
is now allowed to place his ball by the side of the 
one it has struck, thus gaining position near the 
others, so that- after croqueting it he is almost sure 
of hitting the others. 

As an example of the use of the Roquet- Cro- 
quet, we will take diagram No. 1, and suppose 



24 CROQUET. 



that white plays with success through the first two 
bridges, and that black lies somewhere beyond 
the second bridge. Now if there was no other 
ball near, it would be impossible for white to con- 
tinue to play and pass through the third bridge, 
because it will require one stroke to get in position 
for that bridge ; but if white can roquet black, 
then she can roquet-croquet with black up in front 
of the third bridge, and then, as the roquet gives 
another stroke, play through the third bridge and 
perhaps through the fourth and fifth. If below 
the fifth she should find, say the brown ball, to 
roquet-croquet with, it would be possible to get in 
front of No. 6, and then down to the turning-post 
and hitting that return up through No. 6. Here 
the brown ball may again be roqueted, and then 
roquet-croqueted into position for No. 8, and so 
on. This of course could only happen if white 
was an extra player and the other balls were in 
very favorable positions, but it serves as an illus- 
tration of the use of this very valuable stroke. 
The player who reaches the turning-post first, has 
great advantages for a time, for as soon as he 
touches it, he commences his return journey, and 
meeting the other players on their way to the 
farthest point of their journey, he is able to cro- 
quet them and considerably impede their progress. 



A ROVER. 25 



"When a player has passed througli all the 
bridges, he becomes what is called in the technical 
language of croquet, a rover, and is privileged to 
rove about all over the ground, croqueting his 
friends and foes. It is therefore obvious that a 
good player can prove, when thus situated, of 
immense advantage to his side, and should gener- 
ally avoid hitting the starting-post till all on his 
side have passed through the last bridge. The 
excitement towards the end of the game, often 
becomes intense, and each stroke is watched with 
the keenest interest. Gradually, one by one, the 
players hit the post, until perhaps only two 
remain, and now occurs an opportunity for skillful 
play. The object of both is first to hit the post, 
and failing in that, to keep as far off his adver- 
sary as he can. Each endeavors, at the same 
time drawing nearer to the great object in view, 
to keep the post between his and the other ball. 
At length one plays at the post, misses it, and sends 
his ball near his adversary, who first hits it, next 
croquets it away, and then strikes the post, and 
wins the victory. 



26 CROQUET. 



AEKAMEMENT OP THE BKIDGES. 



This arrangement of the "bridges, wliicli is the 
simplest of the three we have drawn, is the one 
which we recommend for all eight-handed games, 
or for beginners. 

The figures marked on this diagram are intend- 
ed merely to furnish a relative scale of distances. 

Thus with these distances the posts are 53 feet 
apart, which is perhaps more than is desirable, 
unless the ground is very perfect, or the players 
experts. 

The course of the ball is indicated by the dotted 
lines, and the arrows show the direction in which 
the balls proceed on the round. It will be ob-* 
served that bridge No, 3 is to the left of No. 2. 
As represented in this diagram, bridges 3 and 10 
are set a little in advance of 2 ; and 6 a little in 
advance of 5 and 8. Some players prefer that 









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28 CROQUET. 



10, 2 and 3 should be in a straight line, and the 
same with 8, 6 and 6. We prefer to have 3 and 
10 enough in advance of 2 to make it just pos- 
sible for an expert by a very superior stroke 
to run No. 2 and get position for No. 3 at one 
blow, and the same with 5, 6 and 8. In short, 
we would have the arrangement such that it is not 
absolutely impossihle for a player to make the 
grand round in one tour, without the aid of the 
roquet. This of course would very rarely be 
accomplished, — never, except by extraordinarily 
skillful play,— yet it should be made possible but 
very difficult. 



In this the same number of bridges are used, 
as in the first diagram ; but the bridges numbered 
respectively 4 and 9, instead of being placed 
parallel to the others, are now at right angles to 
them ; thus in playing from 3 to 4, the ball must 
keep to the left of 4, and then pass through it, 






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30 CKOQUET. 



from tlie outside of the game; a much more 
difficult arrangement than the first, and somewhat 
more difficult than the third, although at first sight 
it may not appear so. 



In this, the third diagram, it will be seen that 
the two center side bridges are done away with, 
and that one is placed in the center of the ground 
instead ; but although in the play we now require 
one bridge less than in the former diagram, yet 
the player will have to pass through the same 
number of bridges as before, since he travels 
twice through the bridge in the center, once on 
his way to the turning-post, and once on his return. 
This is the best arrangement of bridges for a four- 
handed game. As the player's knowledge of Cro- 
quet increases, many other positions will suggest 
themselves ; but those we have presented are the 
simplest, and are the diagrams in general use at 
the present time. Some authors recommend the 
invariable use of diagram No. 1, as being suffi- 
ciently difficult, especially when bridges 10, 2, 
and 3 are on a line. 




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32 CROQUET. 



EULES OF THE GAME. 



Strikinff the Sail, 



I. At the commencement of tlie game tlie ball 
should be placed on a linedrawn from the starting- 
post to the center of the first bridge, and at a 
distance from the starting-post, equal to one-third 
the distance from the post to the bridge. 

The rule usually giren, i. e., to place the ball a 
mallet's length from the post is very well for a large 
ground where the distance from post to bridge is nine 
or ten feet, but for a small ground it brings the ball 
too near the first bridge. 

1. In striking, it is desirable that the mallet be 
used with one hand and the striker should stand 
on one side of, and not behind the ball. 

2. The ball must he struck and not pushed — a 
push never being allowable under any circum- 
stances ; and the blow must be given with the 
face — never with the side — of the mallet head. 

A ball can never get into such a position on a cro- 
quet-ground that it cannot be struck in some direction, 
and if it is in a bad position it is either the fault or the 
misfortune of the player owning the ball — which he 



ORDER OP PLAYING. 



33 



is not to be allowed to rectify hy a push, for that would 
sometimes be rewarding bad play. 

3. Whenever the mallet hits the ball, if it moves 
it however slightly, it must be considered a stroke. 

4. The player may if he wholly miss his ball, 
strike at it again. 

II. The game is opened by the chief holding 
the ball corresponding in color with the top of the 
post, and the players on the two sides follow al- 
ternately according to the order of the colors on 
the posts. 

The playing must necessarily be in the order of the 
colisrs on the post. But on some grounds the chief is 
allowed to assign the balls to the several players on his 
side according to his own choice ; thus according to 
this rule the chief is not compelled to play the first 
ball. We do not advise this practice as there is gen- 
erally some real or fancied difference in the mallets 
and hence a chief is liable to offend some one in the 
distribution of the materials. There are other objec- 
tions which we have not space to discuss. 

1. A ball missing the first bridge is called a 
booby until it has run the bridge, and at the next 
turn must be struck from the position to which it 
last rolled. 

The above rule is based upon the almost universal 
practice of the best players in this country. The fol- 
lowing is gaining favor in England : "A ball missing 
the first bridge must be immediately picked up and 
played from the starting spot, at its next turn." Each 
practice has peculiar advantages over the other, 
which we have not space to discuss. 

2. A roquet made upon, or by a booby does not 



34 CROQUET. 



entitle the player to an extra stroke ; neither can 
a booby croquet or be croqueted. 

3. If any ball is played out of its proper turn 
and discovered before the play of another ball has 
commenced, the misplayed ball may be returned 
to its original place, or permitted to remain in 
that to which it has rolled, at the option of the 
chief of the opposing side. But if the mistake is 
discovered before the player has finished his turn 
and the misplay be allowed, the misplayer shall 
be permitted to finish his turn. If the chief does 
not permit the misplay, the misplayed ball shall 
be returned to its original place, and any dam- 
ages sustained or advantages gained by either 
side shall be canceled. If the misplay is not dis- 
covered before the play of another ball com- 
mences, or is allowed, the misplayer cannot use 
his next turn as he has anticipated it. 

4. If a player use a wrong ball, all the balls 
moved by such play must be returned to their 
former position, and the misplayer lose his turn. 



Running a^^ridge, 

III. A player continues to play so long as he 
makes a point in the game. 

1. Making a point is running one or more 
bridges, striking the turning post in order, or 



RUNNING THE BRIDGES. 



35 



performing the roquet (except on a booby, or 
on a ball the second time in one tour without 
making an intervening s^ep.) 

2. A player is allowed but one extra stroke, 
even though he make roquet and run one or more 
bridges at one stroke. 

3. If a player makes two steps at one stroke, 
he may take position one mallet's length or less, 
in any direction from where the ball rested. 

4. If a player makes three steps at one stroke, 
he may take position as above up to two mallet 
lengths or less. 

TV. The bridges must be passed through in 
their regular order in the direction of the course. 
(This is called running a bridge.) 

1. A ball runs a bridge when it passes through 
it in order and course, by a direct blow, by ro- 
quet, roquet-croquet, croquet or concussion. 
Hence, for a player to drive his ball through a 
bridge out of its regular order, or from the 
wrong side counts no more than to pass over any 
other part of the field. 



f 



2. A ball is not through its bridge when the 
handle of the mallet laid across the two piers of 



36 CROQUET. 



the bridge upon, tlie side from whence the ball 
came, touches the ball without moving the bridge. 

3. A ball passing under its bridge in the wrong 
direction is not in position to run the bridge until 
it has passed clear through according to the fore- 
going rule. 

4. A ball lying under a bridge is not in posi- 
tion for that bridge if it has been so placed by 
the hand for the purpose of croquet or roquet- 
croquet, no matter from what position it may 
have been taken. 

If the ball was taken from the back of the bridge it 
would not be in position, having come from the wrong 
side, as above. Now if it should be allowed that a ball 
may be taken from the front of the bridge and placed 
under the bridge without losing position, as would at 
first seem proper, then the question immediately arises 
as to a ball when taken from a position directly on a 
line with the two piers of the bridge, thus coming 
from neither front nor back. This question can rarely 
be settled without disj)ute ; to avoid which we have 
considered the adoption of the above rule as most 
judicious. 

y. Tolling the turning post is in all respects 

equivalent to running a bridge, but the post may 

be tolled from any quarter. 



Striking Out, 

yi. A ball, after it has run all the bridges, 
may hit the starting post either by a blow from its 
owner's mallet, by roquet, roquet-croquet, croquet 



STRIKING OUT. 37 



or concussion, and is then a dead hall, and must 
be immediately removed from the field. 

1. A player who having run all the bridges 
strikes the starting-post, is out of the game, his 
turn is omitted, and the play goes on as before. 
If, instead of striking the post, he continues to 
play, he is called a rover. 

2. "When all the balls on one side have made 

the grand round and hit the starting-post, that 

side has won the game. 

Some authors on Croquet require the ball to he 
placed on the sjjot or starting-point before continuing 
play as a rover. But this rule seems to be entirely 
arbitrarys— useless — and to have been adopted for no 
suflficient reason. 



27te ^over, 

YII. If the roquet-croquet is allowed to all 
players alike, the rover is governed entirely by 
the same laws as other players. 

1. Therefore, a rover having completed the 
grand round, and having no other steps to make 
(except stepping out, when of course his play 
ceases,) can only acquire the right to continuance 
of play by the roquet. He may (after roquet upon 
it) croquet or roquet-croquet each ball once only 
during a tour. Roquet upon a ball the second 
time during a tour does not entitle him to a con- 
tinuance of play. 



38 CROQUET. 



Coquet, 

yill. A ball roquets another when it comes in 
contact with it by a direct blow of the mallet, or 
rebounds upon it after the blow, from any fixed 
obstacle of the ground or from another ball. 

1. A ball having roqueted another ball, except a 
booby, is at liberty to croquet or roquet-croquet it 
or proceed on its round ; providing that the play- 
ing ball has not already in that tour roqueted 
that same ball since making a step on the round. 

2. A ball may roquet another ball twice be- 
tween two consecutive steps, but the second ro- 
quet does not entitle the player to a continuance 
of play. 

3. Any player in his turn is at liberty at any 
time to make roquet on anij ball on the ground. 

4. Roquet does not entitle a booby to a con- 
tinuance of play. 

5. Roquet on a booby does not entitle the 
playing ball to a continuance of play. 

6. A ball having made roquet and declined the 
croquet, may continue its play either from the 
position to which it has rolled after the roquet, 
or from the side of the roqueted ball. 

7. If a ball roquet another and thereby gain 
the privilege of croquet, and afterwards, at the 
same blow, run a bridge ; it may croquet the 



DOUBLE POINTS. 39 



roqueted ball, then proceed to roquet it again, 
then croquet again and proceed on its round ; or 
•waiving either or both croquets, or the last roquet 
and croquet, may proceed on its round. 

Thus supposing the playing ball roquets a ball that 
it has not roqueted since making a step, and afierivards 
at the same blow runs a bridge ; it of course has a right 
to croquet the roqueted ball; then as that roquet was 
made before the playing ball run its bridge there is no 
reason why it cannot again roquet and croquet the 
same ball. But had the playing \>dl\ first run a bridge 
and afterwards at the same blow roqueted a ball then 
it can have but one croquet according to Rule IX. 

8. The continuance of play is gained by virtue 
of the roquet, and not of the croquet. The cro- 
quet is merely a privilege consequent upon the 
roquet. Therefore, ^to waive a croquet does not 
terminate the play. This principle once fixed in 
the mind will avoid much confusion in under- 
standing and interpreting the rules. 

One author on Croquet, assumes to propound a set 
of rules on double points which are entirely new and at 
variance with all previously established principles of 
the game, inasmuch as they allow a player to waive 
any point made or 'privilege gained. It is an estab- 
lished fact in Croquet that a player may waive any 
privilege that he has acquired — but it is also as well 
established that a step once made can not be taken 
back. The beauty of Croquet is in a great degree due 
to its simplicity, and the granting of the above right 
to players adds one-half to the difficulties of the game, 
without adding in the least to its interests. A game 
of Croquet in which all the players except the rover 
are denied the privilege of roquet-croquet, and in 
which the right to waive a step is introduced, becomes 
at once twice as intricate, requires double the rules to 
explain it, and loses one-half its interest. 



40 CROQUET. 



The Croquet and lioquet-C^'oqttet , 

IX. A player may croquet or roquet-croquet 
any number of balls consecutively; but lie can 
croquet or roquet-croquet only those balls on 
wbich lie Tias made roquet, and roquet on the 
same ball the second time in one tour without an 
intervening step does not entitle the player to a 
croquet. 

1. If a player in the act of croqueting does not 

separate the balls, he is at liberty to take the stroke 

over again. 

Instead of the above the following rule is often 
given. A croquet is completed when the mallet makes 
a perceptible (that is an audible) blow against the cro- 
queting ball, whether that to be croqueted move from 
its place or not. This rule gives rise to frequent dis- 
putes whether the blow was perceptible or not, and is 
not as generally acceptable as the one we have given. 

2. If a player in executing the roquet-croquet 
does not move the croqueted ball from its posi- 
tion, his tour of play ceases, unless by the same 
stroke he makes a point. 

If it is in dispute whether or not the ball has been 
moved as above required, the question shall be decided 
by the umpire if there be one, if not, by the chief of 
the side opposing the player. 

Some authors allow the roquet-croquet to the rover 
only — but as it is one of the most scientific operations 
of the game, the majority of players are not willing to 
give it exclusively to the rover, especially when it is 



ROQUET-CROQUET, 41 

considered that a person who is able to become an 
early rover, will naturally have advantage enough 
without any extra favors. Further the argument that 
the universal use of the roquet-croquet tends to per- 
ceptibly prolong the game has been proved by actual 
test to be without foundation. 

3. If a ball is croqueted either through its own. 
bridge or upon the turning or starting-post when 
in order, a point so made holds good. 

4. In making ricochet the player is at liberty to 
croquet either a part or all of the balls roqueted; 
but the order of croquet must be that of the ri- 
cochet, — the player, however, has only one addi- 
tional stroke, and not one for each ball he has ro- 
queted. 

5. If a ball when croqueted or driven through 

its own bridge from the rear roll back through 

the bridge, it has not run that bridge. 

This rule is based upon the principle that all ques- 
tions as to position can only be satisfactorily deter- 
mined when the ball is not in motion. In the case 
put it would frequently be impossible to decide 
whether the ball when it began to roll back was in 
position or not. 

X. The laws that govern Croquet all apply to 

Roquet-Croquet, except as to points for which 

special rules are herein given. 



The Flinch, 

XI. If a ball flinch in the execution of the 
croquet, it is considered as merely an accidental 
roquet-croquet, and subject to the same laws. In 



42 CROQUET. 



this case of course any point made or advantage 

gained by either ball holds good. 

By adopting tliis rule all unpleasant difference of 
opinion as to the proper positions of the balls is avoided, 
and as the origin of the roquet-croquet was this very 
practice of placing the foot lightly upon the playing 
ball and then allowing both baits to be moved together- 
there seems to be no objection to the rule. 

1. The above rule only applies in a game where 
the roquet-croquet is allowed to all players. 

2. In case the roquet-croquet is only allowed 
to the rover, the following rule applies : If the 
player's ball flinch in executing the croquet, he 
forfeits the remainder of his tour, and no point 
made by a flinching ball is valid, and the balls are 
considered as accidentally displaced and are re- 
placed in ' accordance with the rule applying to 
accidentally displaced balls. 

XII. A ball accidentally displaced must be 
returned, by the chief of the side opposed to the 
person displacing it, to the place where it was ly- 
ing, before the play proceeds. 

XIII. If a ball be hit off the ground it is to 
be placed at once, and before the play proceeds, 
twelve inches within the limit of the boundary 
and at a point nearest to where it stopped, which 
of course causes the ball to be brought in square 
with the boundary. 

Xiy . If a ball in its progress over the ground, 
be interrupted by the person or mallet of an 



DISPLACED BALLS. 



43 



enemy the ball may be placed by the chief of the 
side owning the ball, in such position as he may 
judge it would have rested had it not been inter- 
rupted in its progress. If interrupted by the 
person or mallet of a friend the ball may be plac- 
ed by the chief of the opposing side in such po- 
sition as he may judge it would have rested. 

A person not taking part in the game, should 
never he within the hounds of a croquet ground 
when a game is in progress — ^but should such 
person accidentally be in such a position and either 
displace a ball, or interrupt it in its progress — 
such person shall be considered as an enemy to 
the owner of the ball — and the ball be replaced 
according to rules XII. and XIY. 



SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS. 



KEEP YOUR TEMPER— AND remember 

WHEN YOUR TURN COMES. 

Make good use of the privilege of croquet and 
roquet-croquet, and not consider it the sole object 
of the game to run the bridges, — and yet it is not 
well to too much neglect the bridges as they must 



\ 



44 CROQUET. 



all be run before you can become a rover. Prac- 
tice the roquet-croquet wbenever an opportunity 
offers, as it is susceptible of more scientific play- 
ing than any other stroke. I 

Accustom yourself to be guided strictly accord- k* 
ing to established rules as far as you are informed * 
on the subject. 

Do not attempt to use a kind of push and call 
it a stroke although it may not be expressly for- 
bidden in some manual of croquet. 

Avoid acquiring the habit of standing behind 
the ball and holding the mallet in a perpendicular 
position with both hands when making a stroke, 
even though you play with those who do not ob- 
ject to the practice, as it will not be allowed on 
any well-regulated croquet ground. In making 
a stroke grasp your mallet firmly. Strike square- 
ly — take care that your wrist does not turn or 
twist, (unless you wish to give a twist to your 
ball,) and after getting your aim look rather at 
your mark than your ball when giving the blow. 
After calculating distance, direction, &c., there is 
no more use in looking at your ball except to be 
sure you can hit it, than in throwing a stone to 
look at your hand, rather than the mark. 

If the enemy have an expert rover it is gener- 
ally advisable to use every effort to strike him out. 



SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS. 45 

As an offset to this metliod of play it is often 
advisable to neglect to make tlie last bridge till 
near tlie close of the game, as in this way you 
can venture as near tbe starting-post as you please 
without the fear of being deaded. 

It is often the case that you and an enemy may 
both be in position for the last bridge. In such 
a case as a general rule roquet him, then croquet 
or roquet-croquet through the bridge, roquet again 
and croquet him against the starting-post, thus 
depriving the other side of a rover, gaining the 
advantage of bringing two of your own side 
into consecutive play. Leave your own ball 
as near your friend and as far from an enemy as 
possible. 

Accustom yourself as much as possible to strike 
with one hand, as it is much more graceful, and 
many players allow no other blow. 

The ladies will very much oblige all their asso- 
ciates in croquet by avoiding long dresses, 'which 
are continually dragging the balls about over the 
ground greatly to the annoyance of the players 
and disturbance of the game. 

To the gentlemen we would say it is no proof 
of skill in executing the croquet, to swing your 
mallet, with both hands and give a blow hard 
enough to kill an ox. If you want to do that 



46 CROQUET. 



sort of thing — it would be more agreeable to all 
concerned for you to go off alone somewhere and 
split wood. An easy skillful stroke will send a 
ball anywhere within the bounds, and a ball out of 
bounds may be brought in, so nothing is gained by 
"sledge-hammering," except injuring the imple- 
ments, irritating the players and delaying the game. 

In executing the roquet-croq^uet the stroke may 
be varied so as to produce three very different re- 
sults. First, if it is desirable to have the secondary 
ball go much further than your own, strike a sliarj^ 
quick blow proportioned in force to the dlcscance 
you wish your own ball to go, checking the force 
the instant the mallet hits the ball. Secondly, if 
you wish to send both balls along together strike 
a more sweeping blow (not a push) permitting 
the mallet to have its full swing. The difference 
in these two blows is much more easily discovered 
by the player than described with the pen. 

The* third stroke may partake of the nature of 
either of the above, but differs in the fact that the 
blow of the mallet is not delivered in a line with 
the centers of the two balls, but partially to one 
side of the rear ball, thus producing the spliting 
stroke, i. e., sending the two balls in courses 
diverging from each other. This is much the 
most difficult stroke of the three. 



SUGGESTIONS TO BEGINNERS. 



47 



In procuring a set of croquet materials be sure 
that you know wliat you want, or else buy a set 
manufactured by some recognized manufacturer. 
It may seem a very simple tiling to liaye a set of 
mallets, &c., made from a description, but having 
tried the experiment we can testify that to procure 
suitable lumber — ^well seasoned, have mallets well 
shaped, the handles serviceable and not bungling, 
the balls 'perfectly round, the bridges well formed 
and proportioned — and the painting brilliant and 
properly arranged is a very difficult matter. An 
English author on this subject says, "It was our 
"fortune (or rather misfortune) when in the 
"country last year to take part in a game of Cro- 
"quet played with home-made materials. We 
"only hope that it will never be our lot to play 
" with such things again. The mallets were so 
"large they had to be used as one would a scythe 
' ' in mowing grass. The heads, instead of tapering 
"at the center, bore a great resemblance to an ale 
"barrel on a small scale, and were so large that 
"if one attempted to croquet, one was sure to hit 
"one's own foot instead of the ball. These, by- 
* ' the-by , were any shape but round. They bobbed 
"up and down when in progress, and scarcely 
" ever went in the direction which it was intended 
"for them to go. #***#*** 



48 CROQUET. 



*' Sucli was tlie satisfactory result of the combined 
''labors of the local carpenter and blacksmith. 
"We therefore earnestly recommend our readers 
"to eschew the use of home-made sets of Croquet 
"altogether." 

We endorse the foregoing statement, adding 
that responsible manufacturers in various parts of 
the country are now furnishing excellent sets of 
implements at a cheaper rate than individuals can 
get up equally good sets for themselves. There 
is therefore no economy in using a home-made set. 

Parlor Croquet is a very good substitute for 
the Lawn-game, and may be enjoyed in a winter 
day or evening very much as canned fruit or pre- 
served flowers are enjoyed as excellent and beau- 
tiful substitutes for the delicious fruits of autumn 
and fragrant flowers of summer. But as the 
canned fruit is insipid when used beside the fresh 
fruit of autumn, so will the parlor game seem 
when attempted in the season of the field sport. 
There are two kinds of Parlor Croquet — ^which 
may be termed Carpet Croquet, and Table or 
Board Croquet. 

The Carpet Croquet is played exactly like 
the field game and with similar materials except 
that they are usually smaller, being reduced in 
size in the same proportion that the space availa- 



PARLOR AND BOARD CROQUET. 49 

ble in a room is smaller than the Lawn Croquet 
ground. The same relative proportion in the size 
of materials should be preserved as that given for 
the materials of the lawn game — assuming as a 
standard — a ball from 2 J to 2 J inches in diameter. 
There are several ingenious devices for fastening 
the bridges to the floor or carpet. Each one of those 
which we have seen have some objections; but 
those which are fastened with tacks are the simplest 
and we consider them the best. 

The Board Game is played on a board of any 
convenient size — say five feet long and three feet 
wide — covered with baize or flannel, and surround- 
ed by a ledge or thin strip projecting above the top 
surface three-fourths of an inch. 

The bridges and posts are set in this board in 
the same manner that the larger bridges are set 
in the groimd on the lawn. The balls should be 
about one inch in diameter and may be of glass 
— ^but boxwood or ivory are better. 

The size of the mallets should be in proportion 
to that of the balls — with handles about eight 
inches long. 

The method of play is the same as in Lawn 
Croquet, except the croquet is executed by placing 
the finger instead of the foot on the playing ball. 
The rules are the same, except that, first a player 



50 CROQUET. 



driving his ball off the board terminates his tour 
of play by that stroke and the ball must be placed 
immediately on the starting spot ; seco7id, making 
two or more steps at one stroke does not entitle 
the player to the privilege of taking position up 
to one or more mallets' length. 

The Board Croquet is the most popular for the 
reason that it does not injure the furniture in any 
room, while the Carpet Croquet, although more 
like the lawn game, requires a large room — well 
cleared — or there will soon be an action of Cro- 
quet vs. furniture. 



OEOQUET PEOBLEMS. 



Under this head we present some problems that 
may be of use to learners and convince them that 
success in Croquet does not depend on the amount 
of strength possessed by the player. 

Of course, we can not in the limits of this work 
attempt to present any great proportion of the 
almost innumerable combinations that are con- 
stantly occurring in the practice of Croquet — ^but 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 51 

we give a few carefully selected examples wliicli, 
we trust, may serve as a key to tlie science of the 



Before commencing tlie illustration of special 
points, we would fully impress upon tlie minds of 
croquet players the fact that it is not the hard 
blows that tell on a Croquet field. 

A clear brain, correct eye, and steady nerve are 
the chief requisites for a croquet player, and even 
without much nerve, a clear brain and a good 
knowledge of the rules and practices of the game 
will give the victory in a majority of the cases. 

The remarks and examples here given are in- 
tended for learners, and probably will be read by 
many who will consider some of them exceedingly 
simple, and they may be so to those who have 
learned the game on a ground with expert play- 
ers — but it is not for them that this work is in- 
tended. Croquet is a game that can be played 
and enjoyed anywhere when once thoroughly 
understood, but may be made exceedingly tame 
through want of a knowledge of the fine points. 

We have seen parties playing Croquet who had 
owned a fine set of implements two years, and yet 
had not learned the first elements of good playing, 
and how should they? The implements had been 
purchased with the rules of the game, and these 



52 CROQUET. 



had been thoroughly studied and faithfully fol- 
lowed, but their best points in the game consisted 
in running the bridges and croqueting an enemy 
as far as possible at every opportunity. As soon 
as the scientific shots were even hinted at, their 
quick perceptions and knowledge of the game 
enabled them to profit by them at once. 

These examples are based on the universal use of 
the loose Croquet or Roquet-Croquet, because we 
do not believe that American players of Croquet are 
willing to dejDrive the game of its best points, and 
greatest fund of interest by giving the rover the 
monopoly of this truly scientific stroke. 

The illustrations of the problems, as we have 
here attempted, is somewhat complicated, and any 
student will find it advantageous to first study 
this diagram and fix in his mind the order of 
the bridges and accustom himself, not only in 
reading this work but on the ground while playing, 
to designate the bridges by the figures and letters 
here used — as this arrangement is becoming uni- 
versal. It will be noticed that in running the 
first bridge on the way from the starting-post 
towards the turning-post the bridge is No. 1, but 
on the return to the starting-post it is Gr. 

The bridges number in order from the starting 
to the turning-post, and are lettered in order from 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 



53 



POST. 






I I 



N 

\%-TURN/MG 
POST 

DIAGEAM. 



54 CROQUET. 



the turning to the starting-post. Thus if a player 
is asked which is his proper bridge and he says B, 
it is understood at once that he is for the second 
bridge from the turning-post going from the turn- 
ing-post, which he has already tolled. 

These figures and letters will very soon, by 
constant use become so associated in the mind with 
their respective bridges that it will requii-e no 
effort of thought to connect them. 

While the Roquet-Croquet or 
loose Croquet is the best stroke 
in the game, the splitting stroke 
is the best part of the Roquet- 
Croquet, and is both the most 
difficult and capable of the 
"^^ greatest variations. To ac- 
"^•-.^ complish this stroke successful- 
ly, the player must determine 
" the direction he wishes each 
ball to proceed, and then, the 

Eoquet-Croquet Stroke, i n i • ^ i 

bails bemg properly arranged, 
strike in a direction just about between the two, but 
bearing apparently more in the direction of the line 
connecting the centers of the two balls. A little 
practice will give a better idea of the effect of this 
stroke than pages of description — but a general 
idea may be obtained from the above diagram. 



CEOQUET PROBLEMS, 55 

.STAJfr/mFOSr I" eommencmg a 

game it is a disacl- 

vantage for a player 

to have the first stroke 

because after running 

C ' bridges 1 and 2, he 

2 Aft ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^ 

® @ enable him to gain po- 

•^-^ ^ — ^sition for 3. There- 

fore it is sometimes 
the trick of a good player who has the first stroke 
to " booby " in such a position as to be out of the 
way of the other players, and still in a good posi- 
tion to run the bridge at his next turn. He can 
thus probably encounter some other balls in his 
course, and thus make a good run, whereas if he 
had played first he would have been at the mercy 
of all the other players. This kind of play may 
not perhaps be deemed honorable, but as there is 
no law against it, we do not see how any one can 
complain, and in a game where one very good 
chief has inferior players to aid him, we think he 
at least is justifiable in adopting this course if he 
considers it his best play. 

Problem 1. Ball No. 1 having run bridge 
3 is in position for bridge 4. It roquets Ball 2 
and at the same blow runs bridge 4. Now, 



56 



CROQUET. 



1 having roqueted 2 lias a right to 
roc[uet-croc[uet with it, which it does. 
Now the first roquet having been made 
previous to running bridge 4, ball 1, 
has a right to again roquet 2, and then 
\Z croquet, or roquet-croquet and continue 
play. Thus for accomplishing the 
scientific stroke of roqueting a ball and 
running a bridge at the same blow, 
No. 1 gains an additional stroke which 






/I 



O' 



I \ 



is as it should be. 

Problem 2. Balls 1 and 2 are in position 
for bridge 3, 1 to play. 1 roquets 2, then roquet- 
croquets with 2 by a splitting 
stroke, running the bridge 
with 1 and carrying 2 out- 
side the bridge. 1 again ro- 
quets 2 which gains the privilege 
of another roquet-croquet, but 
'' now the splitting stroke is not 

^ , necessary as 2 is not in position 

for bridge 4, and therefore, both 
balls can be driven through the 
bridge together, and the opera- 
tion of roquet and roquet-cro- 
quet repeated as long as the player can play with 
success. 



CROQUET PROBLEMS. 57 

Problem 3. 2 to play. 2 is in 
position for bridge, F and 1 is in posi- 
tion for bridge G — 1 is an expert, 2 
runs F- — ^roquets 1 — roquet-croquets 
/ through G — -again roquets 1, and cro- 
Q 0/ quets him against the starting-post. 
2 is now a rover and at liberty to pro- 
2 eeed to help the other players on his 
5. 2 ' side, and 1 having been deaded, 2 bids 
® fair to win. 

Problem 4. No. 1 to play. He is not an 
expert player and not sure of either his direction 



2 



or force, but wishes to gain position for bridge 4 
— or being a rover wishes to aid 3, or retard 4. 
By roqueting 2, and then roquet-croqueting with 
2, strongly in the general direction of 3 and 4 he 
may drive 1 and 2 entirely across the ground over 



58 CROQUET. 



tlie boundary, no matter how far, for they can be 
placed at once 12 inches within the boundary 
which will bring 1 in the vicinity of 3 and 4, and 
having another stroke he may roquet one or both, 
and continue his play. 

Problem 5. — 1 has roqueted 2 — P is position 
for 1. Bridge C is not the proper bridge for 2. 
1 cannot be placed under C for a 
-^ roquet-croquet, and by that roquet- 
/ *— — — ~« croquet run the bridge, (see Rule 
@ p IV., 4.) Solution — Roquet-cro- 

quet 2 and 1 back through C, 
bringing one into position at P. Then 1 at the 
next stroke can run the bridge and proceed on its 
course. 

Problem 6. — Conditions same as above except 

that 1 is in position for C. Solution — Place 2 

at 2' and roquet-croquet accord- 

^ ^^^.2' ing to diagram to 2'' and 1. 

'"*' , •'"' 3 This might be done in problem 

1 / 5, if it was not desirable to 

.-'^.■2" place 1 in the position it would 

assume by driving it through 

the bridge, but as the splitting stroke is somewhat 

more difficult than a straight stroke it is not as 

sure except to an expert. 



CEOQUET PROBLEMS. 59 

Problem 7. — 1 is an expert rover; 2 is out 
of position, 2 to strike. It might at first fhought 
seem best to roquet 1, tlien roquet- 
^ croquet to position. But we should 
roquet 1, then croquet 1 against 
% the starting-post and then strike for 
® position. Or, still better, if the 
relative positions of the balls will 
admit, roquet 1, then with a split- 
ting roquet-croquet dead 1 and carry 
2 to position and continue play. But the great 
advantage of deading a good rover should not be 
overlooked. 

Problem 8. — The difference between a thought- 
ful and a careless player is seCii as much in the 
^ positions in which 
\2 ^ the two will leave 
the several balls at 
the termination of a 
tour as in any part 
of the game. For 
instance, in diagram, 
1 is in position, 2 to 
play, 3 is the proper 






2 



bridge for 2, now it would be very unwise for 2 
to strike into position near 1 as he would of course 



60 CROQUET. 



Tbe roqueted by 1 at Ms next tour. Hence sup- 
posing there were no other balls in the vicinity 2 
should strike for 2' and thus gain position so far 
from 1 that he will not care to attempt a roquet. 
But if 4 should be located as in diagram, 2 should 
strike for 4 — but with such force as to be sure 
and not overrun 4 very much if he misses it. 
Then 4 can help 2 at his next turn. 

In croqueting a ball, under any circumstances, 
always bear in mind the order of playing of all 
the balls on the ground. Thus : in croqueting 
a friend to a good position, be careful that you do 
not place him in close proximity to an enemy, 
unless his play comes before that of the foe. 
Also, in croqueting an enemy, do not send him 
near Ms friends, neither near your friends, unless 
they play first. 

Problem 9. — T), is the proper bridge for 1. 

^ 1 to play for posi- 

'\ tion. 1, should 

X play to 3, and not to 

2, because in playing 

for 2 he must calcu- 

>y ^ late exactly on the 

'^ • distance, otherwise 

he will go either too far, or not far enough, and 

will still be out of position. 




CROQUET PROBLEMS. 61 

Problem 10. — 1 is in position for B. The 

play of a tlaoughtless player, would be to run B, 

2 and then strike for 

^.*--'" ^'~i position in front of 

/ C. But an expert 

21^-"""^ /' \ would strike smart- 

/ ly through B, 

/ \ gaining position near 

V, ^ ,.••'' '• _ 2, then roquet 2, and 

i/ @' roquet-croquet to 

position in front of 

c 3 C. And still better, 

^ if expert enough, he 

would take a splitting stroke, carrying 1 to 1' and 

2 to 2'. Then run C, and again roquet 2, &c. 

Problem 11. 2 is a rover. 1 is out of po- 

I sition, which is at P. 

^. If 1 plays to P, 2 will 

1 roquet him at the next 

^ \ turn. But if he can 

1 play to 1, the bridge 

i then intervenes and pro- 

1 tects him. The piers of 

1 the bridges are excellent 

^ \ fortifications, when prop- 

» erly used. 



62 CROQUET. 



Problem 12. 3 is in possible position for B. 

1 is a rover and 

/^ to play. If he 

/ plays to 3 he will 

Q / ^_ ^ r^ drive 3 out of 

B ©position, but by 

/ playing to 1, 3 

^/''' can roquet him 

after running B, 
and then roquet-croquet to position for C, &c. 



VOOABULAEY. 



A BooBY. — A ball that has attemped to run 
the first bridge and failed, is a booby, until it has 
run that bridge. 

Bridges or Arches. — The iron hoops or bows 
through which the balls pass. 

Bridged Ball. — A ball that has run the first 
bridge. 

Concussion. — The displacement of a ball by 
another driven against it by roquet, croquet, 



VOCABULARY. 63 



ricoclaet, or roquet-croquet, and not hit directly 
either by the mallet or by the playing ball. 

Croquet. — (Pronounced Cro'-kay.) The title 
of the game. 

The Croquet. — Any ball having struck an- 
other, is taken up and placed in contact with the 
ball it has struck. The player sets his foot upon 
his own ball, pressing firmly so as to hold it in 
place, and with a blow of his mallet, delivered 
upon his own ball, drives the other ball in what- 
ever direction he may desire. This operation is 
faithfully represented in the frontispiece. 

Dead Ball. — One that has made the grand 
round and hit the starting-post. 

Distanced. — A ball is distanced when at the 
termination of the game it has not tolled the turn- 
ing-post. 

Down. — The course from the turning-post to 
the starting-post. 

A Flinch. — When in the croquet, the playing 
ball is driven from under foot by the blow of the 
mallet, it is called a flinch. 

Front op a Bridge. — The side from which 
the ball must proceed in running it, and with the 
central bridges is not constant, but is decided in 
each case by the course of the ball under consid- 
eration. 



64 CROQUET. 



Grand Round. — A ball has made tlie grand 
round when it has run all the bridges and tolled 
the turning-post, and is then a rover. 

PLAYiNa Ball. — The ball struck with the 
mallet. 

Point. — A player makes a point by running 
a bridge or tolling a post, or by roqueting a ball 
that he has not previously roqueted during the 
tour since making a step — or in other words, by 
roqueting a ball under such circumstances as 
would entitle him to the privilege of the croquet. 

Position. — A ball is in position when it lies 
in front of its proper bridges with a possibility of 
running it by a single blow of the mallet. 

Proper Bridge. — A bridge which it is a 
player's turn to run next in order is said to be 
that player's bridge or his proper bridge. 

Push. — A stroke in which the mallet remains 
in contact with the ball after the instant of contact. 

Ricochet. — (Rick'-o-shay.) A ball making 
roquet on two or more balls by the same blow of 
the mallet. 

Roquet. — (Ro'-kay.) A ball makes roquet 
on another ball when proceeding from a blow of 
the mallet it comes in contact with it either di- 
rectly or by rebounding from a fixed obstacle in 
the ground or from another ball. 



VOCABULARY. 65 



Some writers define the roquet as the contact of the 
playing ball with another ball under such circumstances 
as to constitute a point. This is merely a matter ot 
choice regarding the facility of defining th.e other oper- 
ations of the game. We consider that our definition 
renders the whole matter much the most simple. 

Roquet-Croquet. — The same as croquet, ex- 
cept that the phiying ball is not held under the 
foot, but both balls are free to move in accordance 
with the blow of the mallet. 

A Rover. — A ball that has run all the bridges 
and has not hit the starting-post. 

Starting-Post. — The stake from which the 
play proceeds. See Diagram. 

A Step. — Running a bridge, or tolling the 
turning-post. 

Striking Out — A ball struck against the start- 
ing-post after having run all the bridges in their 
proper order, is struck out and is out of the game. 

The Turning-Post. — The post opposite the 
starting post. 

Tolling the Turning-Post. — Striking the 
turning-post in its proper order. 

Tour, Turn, or Tour of Play. — The con- 
tinued successful playing of any player is called 
his tour of play, and is terminated by his failure 
to play with success. 

5 

— J 



66 



VOCABULARY. 



Under a Bridge. — A ball is under a bridge 
when if the mallet handle is placed across the 
piers of the bridge on each side it will touch the 
ball in both positions of the handle. 

Up.— The course from the starting-post to the 
turning-post. 




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